Chatham debates options on Monomoy Refuge access

Friday

Aug 29, 2008 at 11:55 PM

CHATHAM — Residents tossed out ideas last night for easing traffic in and around the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge that ranged from creating off-site parking and better signs to bringing in duck boats.

ROBIN LORD

CHATHAM — Residents tossed out ideas last night for easing traffic in and around the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge that ranged from creating off-site parking and better signs to bringing in duck boats.

The meeting to hear concerns over, and possible fixes for, the perennial summer problem in town drew about 30 people to the Chatham Community Center. Most were residents of Morris Island, where the refuge headquarters is based, and nearby Stage Island. A causeway to the two islands is the only vehicle access to the headquarters, which draws about 50,000 visitors each year.

Studying transportation issues linked to the refuge is part of a $100,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands program. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge will conduct the study, which is expected to take about one year, center representative Jeffrey Bryan said last night.

Several people worried that transportation improvements could encourage more traffic on the island's private roads.

Visitors to the refuge headquarters, which is right at the entrance to the island, are note as big a concern as people who decide to sightsee around the neighborhood, said one man at last night's hearing.

But visitors to the headquarters, which has a small museum and a hiking trail, have told refuge manager Mike Brady that they have been confused by the private road sign at the beginning of the island. The refuge is federal land and is intended for use by people from all over the country, he said.

"Let us know how we can solve this together," Brady told the neighbors.

Cars driving to the refuge are "a bridge we crossed years ago," Selectman Ronald Bergstrom said to local residents in last night's audience. "Like it or not, they're the federal government and the guy from St. Louis has as much say about what goes on there as you."

Roads may not be the best way to reach the refuge, countered Morris Island resident John Thornton. He suggested establishing a ferry service from Stage Harbor or Harwich, since many visitors' main goal is to reach South Monomoy Island offshore anyway.

Other solutions to traffic congestion suggested last night included establishing an off-site parking area, such as Chatham High School on Crowell Road in the summer months, which would be serviced by a shuttle to the refuge. Better signs along the causeway for people parking for either overflow refuge parking or to kayak or shellfish were also mentioned.

Traffic and parking on nearby Bridge Street also came up last night. People going to Lighthouse Beach and South Beach park along both sides of the road during the summer, which essentially narrows the road to one lane. Last night, many residents said parking should be restricted to one side of the road in July and August.

Selectmen will continue discussing the transportation issues in coming weeks, Bergstrom said. But he cautioned residents to have realistic expectations. Since parking in the entire town is at a premium, he said, prohibiting parking in one place usually means it will create a problem somewhere else.

When Volpe National Transportation Systems Center planners complete their study, they will hold another local public meeting, Bryan said.